Chapter 10
“Rohan, it says on this console that Class A criminals are kept in the Maximum Security section, its the level below… If Daniel is here then I am certain that they’d hold him there,” Sophia said as she disengaged from the security console.
“Sounds like your mind is made up,” Rohan grunted.
“It is,” Sophia said. “Quickly, let’s go this way,” she added and promptly hurried down the path towards an access lift.
“Wait,” Rohan said as he hurried to catch up to Sophia. “Maximum Security doesn’t sound like a cake walk, besides how do you know we’ve stolen the right access cards for that level?” Rohan said and Sophia silently passed her access card over the scanner and the lift doors opened. “Guardian codes recognised, full access granted,” confirmed an electronic voice.
“OK, so we’ve got access, but we need a plan of action,” Rohan said voicing his concerns about Sophia’s safety
“We’ll take this lift to the Maximum Security section and tear the place apart until we find my brother,” Sophia said with conviction in her tone.
“And what if Daniel isn’t there? What if we encounter heavy resistance?”
“I didn’t expect this from you; don’t tell me you’re afraid? Or do you have a better plan?”
“How about you stay here and I go down and search for Daniel.”
“Don’t be silly Rohan, you’re an excellent soldier but you’ll need all the help you can get; besides, it’s my brother.”
“And you are my love… I don’t want you to be in harm’s way…”
“I understand and I love you too, but understand that Daniel is the only blood I have left… and it’s like I can feel him calling to me, to help him…”
“Calling you… Why didn’t you say this before?”
“Why? So you all could restrain me at Fort Freedom because you think I’m crazy,” Sophia replied. “No Rohan, my place is here and I need you to understand…”
“OK,” Rohan said after a brief pause. “But when the fighting starts find cover and stay there, please; I’m a soldier, so let me do my job,” Rohan added and Sophia gazed into his deep eyes.
“Lead the way.”
“Thank you,” Rohan said as he entered the lift with Sophia and descended to the Lower Level of the Penitentiary.
As the lift descended the couple remained silent, and while Sophia battled her anxiety, Rohan switched his visual range, in order to gain more information about what waited for them at the lower level.
“We’re close and I can see many bodies below, they seem to be wearing advanced body armour and by their stances, I’m guessing that they are armed,” Rohan informed Sophia. “I need you to levitate to the top of the lift and remain there until the area is clear.”
“What’s your plan?” Sophia asked as she began ascending.
“The moment these doors open, I will begin a full attack and hopefully I can cause enough commotion to draw their attention away from the lift. Once they’re gone, leave the lift and find your brother; you’d need to figure out a way to keep this door open, so that they can’t send in reinforcements this way,” Rohan responded as the lift began to slow down. He gripped his side arm in one hand and a sonic blade in the other and he felt his suit respond to the rush of adrenaline and he knew that its defence systems were coming online.
“Get ready…” Rohan said quietly to Sophia and as the doors opened Rohan swiftly emerged, and quickly removed the heads to two Guardians standing beside the lift. Pausing for less than a moment, he launched himself at an incoming squad as they readied their rifles, and in a heartbeat he slashed a wild arc, dismembering those that stood in his way. From the corner of his vision he saw a Guardian take aim at him and he flung his sonic blade with all the force he could muster. The blade flew true and buried itself in its victim; the rapidly vibrating and searing blade minced and cooked his flesh. Without paying further attention to his fallen foe, Rohan activated his personal shield, secured his side arm and retrieved his rifle, as he sprinted to cover away from the lift. Shortly after, the area became a battle zone; the Guardians, now aware of an intruder opened fire, singeing the boxes that Rohan hid behind.
Rohan returned fire, careful not to let any rounds stray toward the lift, whose doors had remained open. Suddenly, the lighting changed to a bright red and a security alarm rang out. Rohan ducked under cover and proceeded away from the lift, hoping that the enemy would follow, and they did. A pulse round impacted his personal shield and he instinctively dropped to cover and hoped that his actions would be enough to keep Sophia safe, while returning fire to keep his opponents engaged.